By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus

By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus examines Joseph Smith's translations and interpretations of Egyptian papyri artifacts, focusing on the Book of Abraham and related Mormon texts. Published in 1992, Charles M. Larson's work documents the rediscovery of papyri fragments and analyzes their significance to Mormon history. The book presents side-by-side comparisons of Egyptian writings with Smith's translations, along with historical context about the acquisition and handling of the papyri. Larson includes photographs, illustrations, and technical details about Egyptian language and religious practices to support his research. Through archival records and academic sources, Larson traces the path of these artifacts from their discovery in Egypt through their eventual placement in the Mormon church. The investigation encompasses both 19th century and modern scholarly perspectives on the authenticity of the translations. This study raises fundamental questions about religious authority, the interpretation of ancient texts, and the relationship between faith and historical evidence. The work stands as a significant contribution to Mormon studies and broader discussions about religious origins.

Readers note this book provides a technical analysis of the Book of Abraham papyri, focusing on the authenticity claims. The text includes high-quality color photographs and side-by-side comparisons. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of Egyptian translation methods - Detailed photographs and illustrations - Methodical presentation of evidence - Neutral, academic tone Main criticisms: - Some found it too technical/academic - Several Mormon readers disagreed with the conclusions - Limited availability makes it expensive to obtain used copies One reader stated "The photographic evidence speaks for itself." Another noted "This book lets readers examine the primary sources and draw their own conclusions." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (19 ratings) Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database: 3.5/5 (12 ratings) The book appears to be out of print, with used copies selling for $50-200.

The Ancient Egyptian Books of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge This reference work presents translations and analysis of Egyptian funerary texts, providing context for understanding religious documents from ancient Egypt.

The Joseph Smith Papers: Documents by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman This collection contains original documents and manuscripts relating to Mormon history, including papyri translations and interpretations.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners by Bill Manley The book breaks down the process of reading and interpreting Egyptian hieroglyphs through examination of actual ancient texts and artifacts.

Lost Languages by Andrew Robinson The text explores the methods used to decipher ancient writings, including Egyptian hieroglyphs and other historical scripts.

The Refiner's Fire by John L. Brooke This historical study examines the cultural and religious context of early Mormonism, including analysis of its connections to Egyptian antiquities.

🔎 The book directly challenges the authenticity of the Book of Abraham, using extensive photographic evidence of the original Egyptian papyri to demonstrate discrepancies between Joseph Smith's translations and modern Egyptological interpretations. 📚 Charles M. Larson spent three years researching and documenting the original Egyptian papyri, which were rediscovered in 1967 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art after being thought destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. 🗓️ Published in 1992, the book includes the first-ever full-color photographs of all the surviving Joseph Smith papyri fragments, allowing readers to examine the primary sources themselves. ✍️ Larson interviewed several prominent Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists for the book, including Dr. Klaus Baer of the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute and Dr. Richard Parker of Brown University. 🏛️ The book's publication sparked significant controversy within Mormon scholarly circles, leading to numerous response papers and articles from the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS).